Waterfall diverter

Abstract

A waterfall diversion apparatus is provided consisting of a modified cylinder in which a supply of water which normally cascades over a portion of roller coaster track as a waterfall is temporarily diverted as the passenger carrying cars of the roller coaster pass underneath before the diverter mechanism rotates back to a non-diverter position and the waterfall resumes. The rotating diverter member is a cylinder-like device having a plow like inner divider which when rotated into the path of the water fall diverts the water to the ends of the cylinder where it continues in an outward path to the left and right of the passenger carrying cars of the roller coaster. The modified cylinder is normally obscured from view by the waterfall passing over the exterior surface of the diverter member. As the passenger carrying cars approach the waterfall it trips a mechanism which causes a pneumatically or hydraulically controlled piston to rotate the cylinder until the scoop and plow-like diverter blade moves to an operative position just as the passenger carrying cars are underneath. The water being divergently ejected from the ends of the cylinder, appears to be splashing off of the passenger cars. The timing of the diverter mechanism is set so that even the ride occupants are convinced that they are going to pass through the waterfall. After passing under the diverted waterfall, sensors trip the piston directing the cylinder into a retracted position thus allowing water to continue along its normal arterial flow.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:  
     
       1. In an amusement park ride of the type having a conveyance for transporting one or more passengers along a path, an elevated water source that discharges water onto a portion of the path, and a conveyance-triggered activation mechanism for initiating one or more mechanical devices, the improvement, which comprises: 
       (a) a frame, the frame having a left end, a right end, an interior, a divider in the frame interior, the frame further having an elongated opening, a left end opening, and a right end opening;  
       (b) a frame support for rotatably supporting the frame; and  
       (c) a rotation mechanism for rotating the frame between a first and a second position in response to the conveyance-triggered activation mechanism, the frame opening receiving water discharge only in the second position, the frame elongated opening allowing passage of the received water into the frame interior, the frame divider displacing a first received water portion to the frame left end and a second received water portion to the frame right end, the first and second received water portions exiting through the frame left end opening and frame right end opening, respectively.  
     
     
       2. The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the frame left and right end openings are sized and positioned such that the frame interior holds a portion of the first and second received water portions at the time the frame begins moving from its second to its first position, such water portion being dumped from the frame as the frame moves to its first position. 
     
     
       3. The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is generally cylindrical, the frame further having an extension, the extension extending beyond the perimeter of the cylindrical frame. 
     
     
       4. The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the divider is plow shaped. 
     
     
       5. The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the divider has an apex, a left portion and a right portion, the left portion and right portion each descending from the apex toward the frame left end and frame right end, respectively. 
     
     
       6. The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the elevated water source is of the type that discharges water in the form of a waterfall. 
     
     
       7. The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyance-triggered activation mechanism includes means to cause the frame to return to the first position after the conveyance passes under the frame. 
     
     
       8. The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the conveyance-triggered activation mechanism includes means to move the frame into the second position only when the conveyance approaches and is close to the water being discharged. 
     
     
       9. The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the rotation mechanism is a piston member, the piston member, the piston member having a shaft, the shaft having a first position and a second position, the shaft being attached to the frame such that when the shaft is in the first position the frame is in the first position, and when the shaft is in the second position the frame is in the second position. 
     
     
       10. The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the divider is centrally positioned within the frame interior. 
     
     
       11. The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the frame left and right end openings are positioned on the frame left and right ends, respectively, such that each is continuous with the frame elongated opening. 
     
     
       12. The improvement of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotation axle, the rotation axle being continuous between the frame left and right ends, the rotation axle being attached to the frame support for rotation of the frame. 
     
     
       13. The improvement of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of independent rotation axles, the first rotation axle being positioned at the frame left end, the second rotation axle being positioned at the frame right end, each rotation axle being attached to the frame support for rotation of the frame. 
     
     
       14. In an amusement park ride of the type having a conveyance for transporting one or more passengers along a path, an elevated water source that discharges water onto a portion of the path, and a conveyance-triggered activation mechanism for initiating one or more mechanical devices, the improvement, which comprises: 
       (a) means for interrupting and catching the discharged water and diverting it to the left and right of the conveyance path while the conveyance is proximate the portion of the path onto which the water is ordinarily discharged; and  
       (b) means for restoring the water discharge onto the path after the conveyance has passed.  
     
     
       15. The improvement of  claim 14 , further comprising means for causing a splashing of the water as it is diverted to the left and right of the conveyance path. 
     
     
       16. The improvement of  claim 14 , further comprising means for dumping a portion of the water onto the conveyance path immediately after the conveyance has passed.